EVENTS
PUMPKIN SALE - First United Methodist Church, 104 S. Pineapple Ave. in downtown Sarasota, offers pumpkins in its Pumpkin Patch at the State Street parking lot, across from the main entrance to the church. Pumpkin Patch is open through Oct. 31, 10 a.m. until sundown; all proceeds help to fund mission projects and trips. For information, call the church office at 955-0935.
FRIGHT NIGHT AT ST. ARMANDS - Halloween fun on Saturday, Oct. 31, 6-9 p.m., at St. Armands Circle. Children will trick or treat throughout The Circle, with numerous retailers and restaurants providing treats and Halloween promotions. Call 388-1554; visit www.starmandscircleassoc.com.
DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD HALLOWEEN PARTY - The Sarasota Downtown Alliance will host a Halloween Party for the surrounding neighborhoods on Oct. 31., 3-6 p.m., at downtown merchants’ stores on Main Street, First Street and State Street. Each child in costume will receive a free pumpkin. Refreshments for sale on Lemon Ave. next to the Gator Club.
HALLOWEEN MONSTER MASH - Come in costume Oct. 30-31 at all Mattison’s locations; costume contest on Oct. 31 with prizes. Festive drinks and food specials offered, with live music and decorations. Children can trick or treat.
SCANDINAVIAN FESTIVAL - Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., organized by the Sons of Norway, Sarasota Lodge 539, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2256 Bahia Vista St. Featuring arts and crafts, baked goods, paintings, Norwegian jewelry, Rosemaling, raffle and door prizes. Raffle prizes are $250 for the winner; $100 gift certificate to Scandinavian Gifts for runner-up. Lodge members to serve sandwiches, cakes, coffee and their famous pea soup.
ORCHIDS AND GREYHOUNDS - An orchid show, raffle and sale, Oct. 23-24, by Orchids Etcetera, 5130 Honore Ave. between Clark and Proctor roads, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. All raffle proceeds will go to the Racing Dog Rescue Project, Inc., a local nonprofit that finds homes for retired racing greyhounds. Free seminars on growing and caring for orchids will be offered both days, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call 921-9138 for more information.
DESIGNING WOMEN BOUTIQUE - Fine fashions, couture and furniture consignment and resale shop with monthly Salon Series presentation by director and choreographer Bob Trisolini, Thursday, Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m., at 1226 N. Tamiami Tr. Tickets, which include a box lunch and style show, are $14 per person. Reserve space by calling 544-7612; leave a message for a return call. Send check or credit card information to Designing Women Boutique, 1226 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236. Mail-in reservations must be received by Monday, Oct. 26. Tickets may also be purchased at the boutique. For more information, call Joan Campo-Liga at 924-4065.
THANKS-FOR-GIVING FESTIVAL - Family-friendly day with games, rummage sale, music, food and fun on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Gulf Gate Elementary School campus, 6500 S. Lockwood Ridge Rd., 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit local and state charities such as the Hacienda Girl’s Ranch, Resurrection House, All Faiths Food Bank and local schools. Call Kim at 706-6026 for information.
BRUNCH ON THE BAY - University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee’s 17th annual event on Sunday, Nov. 8, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Event offers food from local restaurants and a view of Sarasota Bay from the Powel Crosley Estate. Proceeds benefit the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Scholarship Endowment Fund. For information, visit www.sar.usf.edu/BOB
TEDDY BEARS NEEDED - The Sarasota Harley Owners Group is getting ready for the 12th annual Great Teddy Bear Run on Sunday, Nov. 15. Every motorcyclist who participates in the police-escorted parade donates a new teddy bear for kids with cancer. For more information call Donna at 951-7005 or go to www.rossiterharleydavidson.com and click on HOG Chapter.
AN EVENING WITH INA MAY GASKIN - Ina May Gaskin, world leader in midwifery and maternal health, will participate in a panel discussion, "Maternal Health Care in the 21st Century: Sarasota and Beyond," at 3 p.m., Nov. 1, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Following the program, Florida Friends of Midwives will host An Evening with Ina May Gaskin at the Hyatt Regency’s waterfront Boathouse, 5:30 p.m. Tickets: $35, including dinner and live music, cash bar, a silent auction and raffle. All proceeds benefit Florida Friends of Midwives. Contact Laura Gilkey at laura@kangaroopromotions.net; call 915-8115.
FUNDRAISER DINNER - Vamo UMC is serving meatloaf, mashed potatoes, beverages and baked goods on Friday, Oct. 23, 5:30-7 p.m. Located at 8521 Vamo Rd. Call 966-3306 for tickets.
FALL BOOK SALE - Half-price sale presented by the Friends of the Fruitville Public Library bookstore, Oct. 26-31, at 100 Coburn Rd. For details, call 861-2500. Library’s new hours of operation: Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8: p.m.; Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sundays, closed.
PET VACCINATIONS - Woof Gang Bakery in co-operation with Animal Health Services will host a low-cost vaccination clinic on Saturday, Oct. 31, 3-4 p.m. Rabies vaccines: $12; other individual vaccines and packages available. Woof Gang is at 1809 S Osprey Ave., Southside Village. Call 312-5233 for information.
SIESTA KEY WINE TASTING - Enjoy tasting a variety of fine wines on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m., at Crescent Beach Grocery, 1211 Old Stickney Point Rd., Siesta Key. Call 312-0472 for information.
WINE TASTING - Sample a selection of wines on Thursday, Oct. 22, at South Trail Liquors, 7310 S. Tamiami Tr., across from Mattison’s 41. Call 927-9463.
SARASOTA OUTDOOR SWAP MEET - Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3000 Fruitville Rd. Event offers 200 spaces at $15 per day. Buy, sell, swap, and eat at the food court. Visit sarasotaswapmeet.com.
OSPREY OUTDOOR MARKET - Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m.-noon, at the Visitors Center parking lot of Historic Spanish Point, 337 N. Tamiami Tr., Osprey. Produce, crafts, music and more. Call 966-5214.
FARMERS’ MARKETS - Downtown every Saturday, 7 a.m.-noon at Lemon Ave. and Main St., sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association. Call 951-2456. Siesta Key Village Market every Sunday, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., on Ocean Blvd. at Davidson’s Plaza. Visit www.siestafarmersmarket.com.
CLASSES/PROGRAMS
ECONOMIC FORUM - The South West Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice and television’s "The Edge" will host an Economic Forum on Monday, Nov. 2, at the Golden Apple Dinner Theater, 25 N. Pineapple Ave. Doors open at 6 p.m.; hors d’oeuvres served. Forum starts at 7 p.m. Dr. Ayse Somersan will discuss national and international issues affecting the local economy. Panelists are Waldo Proffitt, Dr. Frank Alcock and Chris Wille. Tickets at Golden Apple Theater and Mac on Main News & Books, 1341 Main St. (opening Nov. 1). Call Augi for telephone purchases: 586-6839 or 349-2823; www.swfcpj.org/index.htn.
FREETHINKERS - Sarasota County Commissioner Nora Patterson will speak at the Freethinkers’ monthly discussion on Nov. 6. Her topic: "Offshore Drilling and What It Means for Sarasota." The Unitarian Church of Sarasota Freethinkers sponsors a monthly discussion forum at the church, 3975 Fruitville Rd., 10 a.m., on the first Friday of every month. Call 371-4974 for more information.
LIFE AS A WIDOW - Program presented by the Women’s Resource Center, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at 340 S. Tuttle Ave. Talk with experts; share with others. Cost: $25, includes continental breakfast, lunch and all materials. RSVP by Oct. 26. Call 366-1700.
AUDUBON SOCIETY - Rick Greenspun will lead a guided walk to search for Siesta Key resident and migrant shorebirds, Saturday, Oct. 31, on Siesta Key Beach. Meet at the public beach parking lot at 8 a.m. $4 suggested donation. Call 284-2055 for more information.
BOOKS AND COFFEE - Program series: "The Age of Reagan" by Sean Wilentz, a 30-year history from Reagan to Bush II, reviewed by Dr. Justus Doenecke, emeritus professor of history, New College of Florida, Nov. 10, 10:30 a.m., at Selby Library. Call 861-1140 for information.
TRAVEL PROGRAM - Dorothy Conlon will present a program on Thailand, India, Costa Rica and Spain, on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m., at the Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave. Call 861-1230 for information.
MOTE ART EXHIBITION - Mote Marine Laboratory accepting applications for art representing Mote’s 55 years of preserving the world’s marine environment and advancing marine science, for entry in an exhibition March 11-19. Selected artworks will be shown in the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium 55th Anniversary Celebration Juried Art Exhibition. For more information, submission and entry forms, visit www.mote.org/artexhibit2010. Address questions to exhibition chairwoman Deborah Dart at deborah.dart@dagdart.com.
WATERCOLOR AND MORE - A non-traditional approach to painting for beginners, re-starters and intermediate painters. Classes held Tuesdays, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at Blue Line Supply, 301 N Central Ave. in downtown Sarasota at the corner of Fruitville Rd. and Central Ave. Cost: half-day classes, $20. Call Maggie Nevens at 343-0430; visit www.maggienevens.com; e-mail: mnevens@verizon.net.
BEADING CLASSES - A variety of beading classes offered at BEADS, F.O.B., 2312 Gulf Gate Dr. Daily classes for beginning, intermediate and advanced students. For more information call Karen at 921-0871 or visit www.beadsfob.com.
MEETINGS
SARASOTA COUNTY YOUNG REPUBLICANS - October meeting, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., at Gold Coast Eagle Distributors, 7051 Wireless Ct. Guest speakers John and Katherine Ford, authors of "The Crumbling Empire: What Will Stop America’s Downward Spiral," will discuss their book, and Rich Cantwell will give an introduction about the current economic crisis. Target age range 18-40, but all Republicans welcome. Visit www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=240975680505&ref=mf
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS - Sarasota County’s new director of smart growth and urban planning will speak at a Hot Topics luncheon hosted by the League of Women Voters on Monday, Oct. 26, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The event, open to the public, will take place at Colonial Oaks Park. Reservations required; e-mail lwvsc@verizon.net or call 921-9778. Cost for box lunch: $12, paid at the door.
VENICE AREA DEMOCRATIC CLUB - Monthly meeting, Oct. 24, 12:30-2 p.m., at Naar Hall, 620 Shamrock Blvd., Venice. Call 492-5965; visit www.venicedemocrats.org.
DEMOCRATIC WOMEN’S CLUB - Monthly meeting, Oct. 27, 7-8:30 p.m., at Democratic headquarters, 7358 S. Tamiami Tr. Call 379-9916; e-mail DWCSarasotaCounty@gmail.com.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY - Seminar, "Florida’s Path to Clean Energy," by Susan Glickman, consultant to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Oct. 28, noon-1:30 p.m. at headquarters building, 7358 S. Tamiami Tr. Recommended donation: $10. Call 330-9400; e-mail headquarters@sarasotadems.org.
WELSH SOCIETY PICNIC - The Gulf Coast St. David’s Welsh Society will hold its annual picnic at Turtle Beach Park on South Midnight Pass Road, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2-5 p.m. Club to provide the main course and place settings; attendees requested to bring side dishes. Cost: $2 per person, $5 maximum per family. For reservations, e-mail SarasotaWelsh@yahoo.com or call Muriel at 925-
VENICE THEATRE GUILD - Guild membership open to anyone having an interest in supporting Venice Theatre. Individuals can join for $20 per year and become voting members of Venice Theatre. Monthly meetings held at the theatre on Mondays, 1 p.m. Fundraising concerts held on Venice Theatre’s MainStage. Located at 140 W. Tampa Ave. on the island. Visit www.venicestage.com for more information.
GUITARSARASOTA - All meetings are held at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Tr., 7:30-9 p.m. A mini-recital starts each meeting. Monday, Nov. 9, Marc Mannino, jazz guitar. Event free and open to the public.
PROFESSIONAL NETWORK - Meeting Oct. 27, 12:30 p.m., at Troyer’s Dutch Heritage Restaurant, 3713 Bahia Vista St. Call Jeff Deehr at 993-4526; visit www.SarasotaProfessionalNetwork.com.
YES - Young Entrepreneurs of Sarasota share success strategies every Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., at Clayton’s Siesta Grille, 1256 Old Stickney Pt. Rd., Siesta Key. Cost: $12 at the door, includes lunch. Visit www.yes941.com.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - Siesta Key Men’s Group meets at Siesta Beach Shelter, south side of Siesta Beach, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. Open to all. Call 951-6810.
JUST FOR KIDS
LITTLE SPROUTS PRESCHOOL CLUB - Halloween Parade, Oct. 27, 10:30-11:30 a.m., at Selby Gardens, 811 S. Palm Ave. Free with admission fee. Call 366-5731, ext. 239.
ETC.
BLOODMOBILE SCHEDULE - Call the Suncoast Communities Blood Bank at 954-1600. Oct. 23, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Doctors Hospital, 5731 Bee Ridge Rd.; Oct. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., G WIZ, 1001 Blvd of the Arts; Oct. 24, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Albertsons on Lockwood Ridge Rd., 8415 Lockwood Ridge Rd,; Oct. 24, 5-8 p.m., Light the Night, Ken Thompson Park; Oct. 25, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., St. Thomas More Parish, 2506 Gulf Gate Dr.; Oct. 27, noon-3 p.m., Mote Marine, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway.